National Amateur Disc Golf Tour Finale Heats Up in Jacksonville, Florida

The sun-kissed New World Sports Complex in Jacksonville, Florida served as the perfect backdrop for the 2023 National Amateur Disc Golf Tour (NADGT) Finale. This event was more than just a championship – it was an opportunity for amateur disc golfers to earn a spot on the prestigious Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT). With the DGPT kicking off its season in Florida this month, the NADGT Finale winners were one step closer to turning their passion into a professional career.

The four-round tournament pushed participants' skills to the limit on the challenging par-65 championship course. Weather conditions were ideal throughout the competition, except for the final round, when intermittent rain and strong winds made for an even more demanding test of endurance.

In the Men's Professional (MPO) division, Lucas Carmichael entered the final round with a three-stroke lead over Corbin Milchesky. However, Corbin's impressive run in the final round, carding birdies on five of the first six holes, saw him surge ahead of Lucas. As Corbin pulled away, he secured his spot as the tour champion and earned a $4,000 cash prize along with a DGPT pro exemption. Notably, Corbin decided to turn professional, marking an exciting new chapter in his disc golf career.

Tying for second place in the MPO division were Broden Barlow and Jonathan Jurries, both of whom secured spots on the DGPT tour. Ryan Monn finished fourth but opted to maintain his amateur status. Lucas Carmichael dropped into a tie with Cooper Johnson for fifth place.

In the Women's Professional (FPO) division, Eliezra Midtlyng was the heavy favorite coming into the tournament and held a one-stroke lead over Ann Deputy at the start of the final round. However, Ann took control on hole six and maintained her lead through the front nine. As they traded strokes back and forth, it ultimately came down to the final hole, where Eliezra's approach shot landed out of bounds near the green. Ann needed to make a 29-foot putt to force a playoff, but unfortunately missed to the right of the chains, allowing Eliezra to tap in for victory.

Kimberly Dickerson secured third place and earned a spot in a future DGPT event, while Lillianne Waite jumped into fourth place with a hot streak from her third card, securing cash and professional status.

In the age-protected divisions, Brenda Wiltgen emerged as the champion of the FP40 division and accepted the accompanying cash prize. She has had a long run with the NADGT and is now ready to take the next step in her career.

Dan Vassar dominated the MP40 division, securing his title through a wire-to-wire performance. He claimed the $1,100 cash prize but declined it, instead opting for full merchandise certificates from the NADGT. With the Masters Worlds coming to Minnesota in 2025, Dan is set to make a name for himself.

Rad Roberts secured victory in the MP50 division by holding a comfortable seven-throw lead going into the final round over John Taymon. Rad then played steady on the back nine to claim his title by four throws. Notably, both Rad and John declined cash prizes; Rad opted not to accept $1,800, instead aiming for another shot at Am Worlds, where he was a runner-up in 2023.

John Taymon decided to turn professional after 41 career wins, marking an exciting new chapter in his disc golf career. All players who declined cash were rewarded with full merchandise certificates from the NADGT.

Looking ahead, the NADGT has announced that age-protected divisions will return to competing for cash at the National Championships in Austin, Texas, as they have done in previous years. The MPO and FPO Finale will remain in Florida for the upcoming season.

In total, 18 players claimed their cash prizes and achieved professional status, setting themselves up for success on the DGPT tour this year. With the Junior Nationals taking place in Colorado this summer and the NADGT National Championships scheduled for Austin, Texas, this November, aspiring amateur disc golfers have several opportunities to earn a spot on the professional circuit.

For those looking to make the transition from amateur to professional, the NADGT Premier Tour A-tier events offer an exciting opportunity. The top five finishers in these events will qualify directly for the tour finale, providing a clear path to achieving their goal of becoming a professional disc golfer.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/champions-crowned-1